Tragic Nepali Student's Suicide at KIIT Triggers Protests and Evictions

Bhubaneswar, India – The tragic death of a Nepali student, Prakriti Lamsal, at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, has ignited a wave of protests and a swift response from the college administration, leading to the eviction of several Nepali students from the hostel.

Details of the Incident
Prakriti Lamsal, a third-year B.Tech student from Rupandehi, Nepal, was discovered dead in her hostel room on Sunday. Indian media reports suggest that a dispute with a fellow student, with whom Lamsal was in a relationship, may have contributed to the unfortunate incident.

Police Investigation and Arrest
The Bhubaneswar Police have taken a student into custody on charges of abetment to suicide. “We are conducting a detailed investigation and have seized the deceased’s mobile phone, laptop, and other electronic devices for forensic analysis,” DCP Pinak Mishra told local media.

Lamsal’s family in Nepal has been notified, and further inquiries are ongoing.

Protests and Eviction of Nepali Students
In the wake of Lamsal’s death, Nepali students at KIIT staged protests, demanding a comprehensive investigation and accountability for those involved. However, the KIIT administration responded by evicting the protesting students from the hostel.

“Considering the situation, we have sent the Nepali students back home for their safety,” a KIIT spokesperson told NDTV.

On Monday, two buses carrying the evicted Nepali students arrived at Cuttack Railway Station, from where they were reportedly being sent back to Nepal.

Students Allege Forced Eviction Amid Exams
Several students expressed their frustration over the abrupt eviction, particularly with their semester exams approaching. “We were told to vacate the hostel immediately and were forcibly brought to the railway station,” a Nepali student at the station told The Times of India. “We have exams on February 28, but now we don’t know what will happen.”

Concerns About International Student Treatment
The incident has raised serious concerns about the treatment of international students at Indian universities. While authorities continue their investigation, Nepali student groups and organizations are calling for a transparent probe and assurances of safety for Nepali students studying in India.

News Update:
Just now, the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) has announced the withdrawal of the temporary suspension imposed on Nepali students. In a statement issued on Monday, KIIT encouraged students to return to campus and participate in regular academic activities, which will be reinstated shortly. The statement also emphasized that the academic aspects of the students will not be hindered during this period and that the university will take care of them. Accordingly, the temporary suspension of academic classes and hostels has been immediately withdrawn. This step was taken with the objective of maintaining peace and ensuring proper justice.